Politics And One Mother With A Keyboard. Because in front of every informed voter is a frightened politician.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

My Father's Obituary

I wrote this for my father and it was published here. I think it is the worst thing I ever wrote because I never thought I would be writing my father's obituary.

HELFRECHT, Gary, of Richmond, Va., died Saturday, August 21, 2010 at his beloved beach house. "Brutally handsome" and "full of everything" from love to life. He had a successful career, a loving family and an adoring wife. He is survived by his wife, Rudi Artemis; daughters, Kristen, Jessica and Courtney; his brother, ...Bill; and six beautiful grandchildren. Gary Helfrecht was a member of the Harley Owners Group of Richmond and everyone's "favorite person." Gary will be missed by us all. He was the most wonderful husband and father in the history of the universe. The family will receive friends and family on Tuesday, August 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bliley's- Central Chapel, 3801 Augusta Ave., and where a memorial service will be held on Wednesday, August 25 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Gary's name to the American Heart Association .

2 comments:

Kris, I think what you wrote is beautiful as it comes from the heart. I have known and worked with your father for almost fifteen years in the media industry and most recently through my finance company. I will miss him dearly.

I loved working with your father. He had an alluring balance about him consummately maintaining control of difficult situations always with hand extended and a smile to greet you with emphatic enthusiasm. Your dad attended his first Broadcast with me in 2008 and I remember how impressed he was with the display of technology and mere size of the show. It was much different and much larger than anything he had seen or previously attended. We had an action plan in place but mid way through the first day it was out the window. Gary walked the entire show stopping at pretty much every booth, shaking hands, asking questions, learning, making new acquaintances, smiling. He embraced the adventure of something new, new challenges, new people, which is how he lived his life.

God bless your Kris, your sisters and family. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Brian Wink

I am so sorry. He was so young. Will be praying every day for him, for you, and all your family. That God will hold you and give you the strength to get thru these awful, shocked days as you adjust to this sudden loss, comfort you, dry your tears, and remind you that love never dies. And these separations are temporary. Tho brutal.

I lost my father less than four years ago, and know how it feels. Thinking of you.